Health shouldn't be determined by your zip-code. Take steps now to prevent Diabetes!

information and resources provided by Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness Diabetes Prevention Program!

A person with prediabetes has a blood sugar level higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. He or she is at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health problems, including heart disease, and stroke.

Could you have prediabetes? Take the quiz and find out if you are at risk. Click on the prediabetes test widget on the right hand side of this page and answer the seven questions to get your prediabetes score.

Knowing your risk is the first step to treating or preventing diabetes. If you are at risk, or have already been diagnosed, there are several programs that can help you take care of yourself.

Click here or call 502.574.6663 to a listing of diabetes resources in Jefferson co. to connect with a diabetes staff person who can help you connect with a program.

Recent studies show that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes could prevent or delay it by doing the following:

Lose 5 to 7 percent of their weight, if they are overweight—that’s 10 to 14 pounds (4.5 to 6.3 kg) for a 200 pound (90.6 kg) person.

Lose and maintain the weight loss by making healthy food choices by eating a variety of foods that are low in fat and reducing the number of calories they eat per day.

Get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days a week. This could be brisk walking, yard work, and actively playing with children, for example, riding bicycles or playing soccer.

These small changes can have a big impact, but may seem like a big challenge to start.

If you have pre-diabetes the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) can connect you with others working on lifestyle change! Connect with a DPP group by calling the Diabetes Prevention and Control program at 502.574.6663.

Resources for faith and community leaders

As a leader in your faith community, you are in an important position to help people prevent type 2 diabetes and manage all types of diabetes. Your members trust you and understand that you support their well-being. You know how to reach and inspire them. You can motivate them to take steps toward healthful living. This Faith Leaders Toolkit features tip sheets, webinars, videos, social media messages, and other materials that make it easy for you to:

Create an environment that supports healthy choices. Whether you are just starting a diabetes initiative or already have a program in place, the Faith Leaders Toolkit has resources to help you meet the needs of your congregation.

The American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology have teamed up to raise public awareness of the “ABCs of diabetes,” namely A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol. To have a good sense of your risk of cardiovascular disease and other diabetes complications, you need to “know your numbers.”

A

The A1C, or HbA1c, test is a measure of blood glucose control over the previous 2–3 months. Small changes in A1C can make a big difference in your risk for diabetes-related complications. For example, lowering your A1C level by just one percentage point can reduce your risk for all complications by 30% to 35% and cut your risk of heart attack by 18%. Each A1C percentage point above 7.0% doubles your risk of complications.

B

Your blood pressure should be checked at every medical appointment. For most people with diabetes or hypertension, the recommended blood pressure target is blood pressure below 140/80 mm Hg.

C

Have a blood test to measure triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol at least once a year. The goals for most people are as follows, but these numbers may be modified based on your health or risk factors:

• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, under 100 mg/dl

• Triglycerides, under 150 mg/dl

• HDL (“good”) cholesterol for men, above 40 mg/dl

• HDL (“good”) cholesterol for women, above 50 mg/dl

These numbers may be different for different people, but Knowing your Numbers is the first step to controlling or preventing disease.

This website is managed by the Smoketown HopeBox Corporation, a nonprofit comprised on more than 10 organizations and led by YouthBuild Louisville, Bates CDC, Bates Memorial Baptist Church, Coke United Methodist Church, Smoketown Neighborhood Association, and IDEAS xLab. Sign up to receive updates, event and resource information and more from Smoketown Voice!